O*NET-SOC 35-2012.00

Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria

Prepare and cook large quantities of food for institutions, such as schools, hospitals, or cafeterias.

Preparation

ItemValue
Preparation zoneZone 2 – Some preparation needed
What O*NET says the zone requiresSome previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is usually needed
Broad occupation in O*NETTrue (Yes)
Skills listed for this occupation6
Abilities listed for this occupation6
Tasks listed for this occupation5
Interest scores given for this occupation6

Skills

The 6 skills with the highest importance values in this occupation's records.

SkillO*NET elementImportanceDate
Judgment and Decision Making2.B.4.e3.1208/2019
Monitoring2.A.2.d3.1208/2019
Operations Monitoring2.B.3.g3.1208/2019
Quality Control Analysis2.B.3.m3.1208/2019
Service Orientation2.B.1.f3.1208/2019
Speaking2.A.1.d3.1208/2019

The importance value is what each record itself carries on O*NET's importance scale; the date is the date in each record.

Abilities

The 6 abilities with the highest importance values in this occupation's records.

AbilityO*NET elementImportanceDate
Near Vision1.A.4.a.13.2508/2019
Oral Expression1.A.1.a.33.2508/2019
Category Flexibility1.A.1.b.73.1208/2019
Deductive Reasoning1.A.1.b.43.1208/2019
Information Ordering1.A.1.b.63.1208/2019
Oral Comprehension1.A.1.a.13.1208/2019

The importance value is what each record itself carries on O*NET's importance scale; the date is the date in each record.

Tasks

The tasks O*NET records for this occupation, with the type, respondent count and date each record carries.

TaskTypeIncumbents respondingDate
Monitor and record food temperatures to ensure food safety.Core14308/2019
Cook foodstuffs according to menus, special dietary or nutritional restrictions, or numbers of portions to be served.Core14208/2019
Rotate and store food supplies.Core14208/2019
Wash pots, pans, dishes, utensils, or other cooking equipment.Core14108/2019
Apportion and serve food to facility residents, employees, or patrons.Core13808/2019

Work interests

The interest scores O*NET gives this occupation, on the six interest types.

InterestScoreDate
Realistic5.9311/2023
Conventional4.4111/2023
Social3.0611/2023
Enterprising3.0111/2023
Artistic1.9811/2023
Investigative1.8911/2023

More occupations in preparation zone 2

Source: O*NET 29.1 Database (Occupation Data, Job Zones, Skills, Abilities, Task Statements, Interests), U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration. Data fetched 2026-10-31. See about and sources.